I understand that there are many angry folks because of EB-retro. Here is the reason that everyone should support two pending immigration reform bills
1. If you speculate EAD/AP for I-140 approved applicants, I am sure it will not happen. There are tons of approved I-130 cases; no one gets EAD/AP until I-485 is filed when cut-off date becomes current, including GC spouses and married/umarried son or daughter of USC.
2. If you think that Congress has sympathy for EB-retro and will remedy the problem, you are probably wrong again. Visa cap has been enforced for years to create racial balance and culture diversity.
3. If you think family based immigrants never fight for their cause, you are wrong again. GC holders have been lobbying congress many times without success. Why do you think EB along will prevail this time? Labor demand and supply is not as great as it was in 90s.
4. I do not support illegal aliens, but they represent 12 millions that is more than total legal EB and FB immigrants. With new bill, Congress tries to stop future illegal immigrants; in the same time, EB/FB immigrants will benefit what they need.
5. The U.S. need certain numbers of high and low skill workers. many illegal immigrants fit in low skill category. Like it or not, 12 million illegal aliens are part of this society. You must admit that Hispanic voters have more powers than EB immigrants do. main stream american middle class see H-1Bs as a direct threat to their jobs and wage cutter. I am in the IT filed. I heard people who frustrated with outsourcing jobs when the company laid off people. Even though you are invited to provide services in this country, it does not mean you win the hearts of main stream American people. I am pro immigration because that is how I got here after graduating from college.
I know this is a sensitive and controversial topic and wish you all eventually receive your GCs. Since my family member’s cut-off date is going to be current in one month, I do not think my relative can gain any benefit from these two bills. Besides he is not in the U.S.. I just want to share my thought to help others because I understand immigration ordeal. Maybe I am not in your shoes, so I do not expect everyone agree with my opinion. If all EB beneficiaries think that they can win a passage by their own, let us wait and see. Personally, I do not think you have enough political capital to win. You do not have vote right, your employers do not care whether you have GC as long as you are eligible to extend your H-1 annually, many young graduates from overseas and U.S. colleges eagerly want to replace your positions if you decide to leave the country. If I were you, I would definitely try to lobby congress to allow H-1b to switch to H5A under Mccain/Kennedy bill. in that case your spouse could work and you are free to switch job and earn your residency by counting your h-1 work experience if it is possible.
My last post about this topic.